Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

CIT Y CENTRE  85

4 Sydney Tower VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

The highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere, Practical Information
the Sydney Tower was conceived as part of a 1970s 100 Market St. Map 1 B5. Tel 1800
shopping centre, but was not completed until 1981. About 258 693. Open 9am–10pm daily
(May–Sep: to 9:30pm). Skywalk:
one million visitors a year admire the stun ning views, often Open 10am–8pm daily (May–
stretching for over 85 km (53 miles), as far as the Blue Sep: to 7pm). 7 8 0
Mountains. A landmark in itself, it can be seen from almost - = ∑ sydneytowereye.
anywhere in the city. Visitors can also take a Skywalk tour com.au
on a platform around the turret’s exterior. Transport
@ Sydney Explorer, all city
routes. 4 Darling Harbour.
 St James, Martin Place.
The 30-m (98-ft) spire
completes the total
309 m (1,014 ft) of
the tower’s height.
The water tank holds
162,000 litres (35,500
gallons) and acts as
an enor mous stabilizer
Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck on very windy days.
Views stretch to Pittwater in the north, Skywalk
Botany Bay to the south, westwards to
the Blue Mountains, and out to the sea. Level 4:
Observation deck
Level 3: Private
event space
The turret’s nine levels include Level 2: Buffet
two restaurants, a café and the restaurant
Observation Level.
Level 1: A la carte
restaurant
The windows comprise three layers.
The outer has a gold dust coating.
The frame design prevents panes
falling outwards.
The shaft is designed
to withstand wind
speeds expected The 56 cables weigh
only once in 500 years. seven tonnes each.
If laid end to end, they
would reach from New
The stairs are two Zealand to Sydney.
separate, fireproofed
emergency escape
routes.
Double-decker lifts
can carry up to 2,000
people per hour. At full
speed, a lift takes only
40 seconds to ascend
the 76 floors to the
Observation Level.
Skywalk
The 4-D cinema Visitors can step out with a
experience takes you on guide onto an open-air
Construction of the Turret a journey around Sydney. walkway around the outside
The nine turret levels were of the Sydney Tower. The
erected on the roof of the base glass-floor viewing platform
building, then hoisted up the provides spectacular views
shaft using hydraulic jacks. of the city below.

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